Engine tapping on cold mornings
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Lakewood, Colorado
You guys talking about a Valve train tick? or a lower end Knock?
I have a feeling we are talking about a lower end knock... I have the knock at start up in mine... But once the engine expands(as it gets hot) the tolerences are closer and it no longer has the "slap"... The 5.4 blocks were cast with wider tolerances for the first few years. This causes a "start up knock" hell even brand new the 5.4s were notorious to have a slight Knock... Not much to worry about. This causes a little bit of worry around 150K miles where the tolerences could be too much and ruin a few bearings...
Valve train, although possible, is unlikely. Turns out that you have to run a thinnner oil through a Ford Modular Motor than you can say a SFB... Reason why is the oil galleys in the heads them selves... If the cam journal is worn at all(out of spec) it will not build correct oil pressure and that will cause a lower bearing to possibly go aswell. I have had many 4.6s apart (mustang motors) and there is the occasional ticking lash adjuster. This could be a problem, but i doubt it. If it is, they are easy to swap out and just require a Modular OTC tool...
I have a feeling we are talking about a lower end knock... I have the knock at start up in mine... But once the engine expands(as it gets hot) the tolerences are closer and it no longer has the "slap"... The 5.4 blocks were cast with wider tolerances for the first few years. This causes a "start up knock" hell even brand new the 5.4s were notorious to have a slight Knock... Not much to worry about. This causes a little bit of worry around 150K miles where the tolerences could be too much and ruin a few bearings...
Valve train, although possible, is unlikely. Turns out that you have to run a thinnner oil through a Ford Modular Motor than you can say a SFB... Reason why is the oil galleys in the heads them selves... If the cam journal is worn at all(out of spec) it will not build correct oil pressure and that will cause a lower bearing to possibly go aswell. I have had many 4.6s apart (mustang motors) and there is the occasional ticking lash adjuster. This could be a problem, but i doubt it. If it is, they are easy to swap out and just require a Modular OTC tool...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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I second that - I changed to to FL820S and my knock/tick was gone.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 500
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From: Angleton Tx.
I have an 05 Expy 5.4 and I get a ticking sound but it only in drive and reverse when the engine is slowed down a bit. It sounds like it is underneath, buit its more like a tinging. I was thinking it is the catalitic converter, maybe the guts have loosened. it has I think about 70k, its the wifes so I dont drive it much. The thing runs great and averages about 15mpg. The noise is just a little aggravating. As I said, it sounds like its underneath.
When I get under it, it sounds like it is in the engine compartment. I open the hood and cant hear a thing, close the hodd and can hear it underneath again. It sounds like a noise in the exhaust system. Anyone ever had the problem
When I get under it, it sounds like it is in the engine compartment. I open the hood and cant hear a thing, close the hodd and can hear it underneath again. It sounds like a noise in the exhaust system. Anyone ever had the problem
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,323
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From: 0,0,1
Could be the overly common broken exhaust studs issue. Inspect the exhaust manifolds to see if any of the studs are broken off. You can look right through the wheel wells with a flashlight and see most if not all of the studs.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: MA
I've been using the FL820S oil filter since almost new and I still get that "piston slap " noise. It drives me up a wall. Its a good thing I like my AC, because that piston slap noise drives me up a wall and the Ford dealer tells me it is normal for the mileage on my vehicle.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Lakewood, Colorado
I've been using the FL820S oil filter since almost new and I still get that "piston slap " noise. It drives me up a wall. Its a good thing I like my AC, because that piston slap noise drives me up a wall and the Ford dealer tells me it is normal for the mileage on my vehicle.
I know that the 5.4 in the truck is noisier than my 4.6 in the Mustang, but that is the clearance issue in the machining in the earlier 5.4s. But all modular engines,(even the race engines ive built, and seen) make noise at start up.... and most of those engines have been balanced, degreed, clearance, the whole nine yards.
Anther good thing to bring up is the exhaust manifold studs... If you have one loose, you can hear a knocking and a ticking from a leaking manifold. Depends on how bad it is in relation to which noise it makes though.
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Joined: May 2008
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I think it is a dry start problem as well. I have an Expedition with 340,000 miles on it that has been making that racket on cold mornings for the past ten years but still keeps going, burns no oil between changes, etc. I quit worrying about it a long long time ago.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Lakewood, Colorado
Glad somebody agrees...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 237
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From: hazleton pa
... valves would be the reaso for the upperend tick it shouldnt hurt to use the new filter just because and if uadd a little lucas to her and it dont stop tickin forget about it 
its a popular thing and like the other guy said if mine didnt do it id be more worried somthing else is wrong
its a popular thing and like the other guy said if mine didnt do it id be more worried somthing else is wrong
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